I wrote a bunch of stuff about metal detecting, but Word Press was acting up and screwed up my website, so I haven’t been able to post–Sigh…
I lost my subscriber list, and went into panic mode, but with determination and some serious forum/google searching (because you can’t talk to a real person at Word Press), I figured out how to fix it.
Oh, hey–it’s me. Yup, I’m still here. Thanks for all the emails and messages inquiring as to my whereabouts. I could say something smart like “Well, I’ve been out detecting”, but seriously, sometimes life intervenes, and I just can’t find the time to post as often as I would like.
You’re probably wondering (or not) just what has kept me so busy…. Just life, a change of schedules, less free time, etc… You know–stuff.
So what’s new since last I posted…
Most recently, my not so fabulous Volkswagen, the only car I have ever owned that I suspect hates me (and my metal detector), died again. There I was, just cruising along the Merrit Parkway on a nice Saturday morning, thinking that on my way back home I could stop by my old favorite site–and suddenly, without warning, as I’m in the passing lane, in the midst of passing someone, my car loses all power. No danger there.
Read More “Don’t Buy a VW if you Metal Detect or Not (Part 2) & Skunked at the BONE” »
Fortunately, most detectorists, follow and abide by a general set of ethics while in the field. Occasionally though, There have been times in this hobby when my head just spins over someone’s’ total lack of respect for property, and the hobby.
I have been volunteering my time, for several years, working to preserve the rights of metal detectorists to enjoy and practice our lawful hobby. So call me super sensitive, but I get extremely upset when I see the ignorance and lack of respect that the occasional rogue leaves in his or her wake.
This is an open letter to my local neighborhood detectorist, who is one of those people. I hope he reads this and recognizes himself here, and better yet, learns how to dig a proper hole; but sadly, I doubt he will, as it is obvious he only cares about one thing, and that is himself…
Wow, 2015 flew by fast!
It started off slow and über cold, as I spent most of January & February hibernating on the couch under a blanket engrossed in season after season of Vampire Diaries.
It was difficult for me because I’m not a TV person. I wish I could revive my body’s former ability to withstand the cold, so I could do constructive things (like metal detect), when the thermometer is reading “WTF is going on outside” degrees, but even the lure of treasure and vision’s of beach gold does not help overcome my reluctance. Defeated I am.
You may have heard the sad news that Dick Stout, long time detectorist, author and founder of the FMDAC (Federation of Metal Detector and Archeological Clubs) suffered the tragic loss of his home to a tornado last night.
Thankfully Dick, his wife Fay, and their dogs are okay and currently staying with family.
Let us in the detecting community, show our support to Dick in this time of crisis by donating what we can to help him out in his time of need.
Read More “Support a Fellow Detectorist in his Time of Need” »
It’s no secret that I love trying out new products and giving an honest review to my readers. So I was delighted with the challenge of reviewing the Garrett Pro-Pointer AT.
I’m not a stranger to the Garrett brand, having quickly become a die hard Pro Pointer user when they first hit the market. I used it with much success for a few years, until finally deciding to try some other brands.
I think everyone has had a bucket list at one at one time or another. Some have fulfilled their lists, and have moved on to different ways of challenging themselves, such as beating the previous years silver or gold count, aspiring to find a record number of shoe buckles, coppers or flat buttons, (or in my case…oxen shoes). Others though, may still have a few elusive items they’ve yet to acquire.
I love trying out new products and giving an honest review to my fellow detectorists. Why? Because I hunt, and I hunt a lot, so if I like something, then its obviously a necessary or great addition to your detecting gear.
I’ve sung the praises of the Xpointer pinpointer by Deteknix in the past. But I have yet to come across an item that warranted multiple reviews…until now.
Read More “The XPointer by Deteknix: Exceeding my Expectations!” »
I’m in the middle of the forest this past Thursday evening, nighthawking a cellar hole with, my obsessed as I am, detecting buddy Scott. I’ve got part of a shoe buckle, a square pin & a neat old flat button in my pouch. He has a coin (type yet to be determined), and a nice thimble. Things are going well for us in the darkness of our detecting wonderland… Suddenly, mid target dig, Scott comes over and says “Hey Allie,
I went hunting a cellar hole site with an old detecting buddy a while back. It’s a site that we’ve hit hard in the past, and it wasn’t our site of choice, it was our site of necessity. We wanted to detect, yet were short on time. Driving an hour or more just wasn’t going to happen, we needed a site that was close by for instant detecting gratification.
Are you aware of the metal detecting site treasureclassifieds.com? I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with it, as it’s been around for some time, but for those of you who aren’t, let me share a bit about what this site has to offer.
Treasure Classifieds is a place where you can buy, sell & trade used metal detector’s, detecting gear and equipment. They boast over 9,000 registered members, and there are no listing fees—yup, that’s right, no fees—the listings to buy and sell are FREE!
A while back I spent the day at Orchard Beach with Petrina Engelke, a German journalist based in New York who likes to write about inspiring people, especially women. We talked Metal Detecting of course, and I showed her what those folks she’s seen hunting the beaches do, and how we do it.
The article is in German, but hopefully you’ll be able to translate it easily enough.
I moved a few months back, and since then, have been trying to make the monthly meeting of my new local metal detecting club. Something always seemed to interfere with my plans, but finally, Wednesday night, I was able to attend, and join “The Yankee Territory Coin Shooters” in Wethersfield, CT.
I’m a big fan of John Winter’s blog, and today he’s got a great article on a new, yet surprisingly simple product that I think all of us would find helpful in the field. Follow the link below to check it out: http://www.johnwinter.net/jw/2015/09/coinpad-for-coinshooters/
Out of the archives comes some more metal detecting humor that you may (or may not) be able to relate to–enjoy!
Is your significant other also your detecting partner? Do you know what he or she is thinking?
Here are some examples; some drawn from experience, some from humor, of gender differences in the hobby and what your partner could or might be thinking or doing …
Read More “Is your Significant Other also your Detecting Partner?” »
If you ever wanted to build your own metal detector, detecting gear and accessories, or create your own unique artwork from relics–whether to save money, just for fun, or because you’re a do it yourself person, below are some links you might find helpful (or amusing).
Read More “Do-it-yourself Projects for Metal Detectorist’s” »
I was wondering which article to post, as I promised to delve into the archives to bring you a little bit of metal detecting humor. Then I saw this pic posted on Facebook, and it reminded me of a humorous little article where I briefly mentioned having to choose between a guy or metal detecting. I hope this brings a smile to your day–
Guest post by Gene Knight of Kellyco Metal Detectors
When we think about metal detecting treasure, it is often old coins and metal relics that come to mind first. Those finds are always exciting, but imagine coming across something that is rarer and more valuable, and that, quite possibly, no human hands have ever touched. The discoveries that I’m talking about are meteorites.
Humor and metal detecting don’t seem to get together very often. Colonial shoe buckles, flat buttons and old coins just aren’t very funny. It’s kind of like trying to find the humor in cross country skiing–you know its there… somewhere, but you’ve really got to search for it.
Read More “Are you a Detecting Widow? Tips for Living in Harmony with a Detectorist” »
It’s not very often that you get to detect empty fairgrounds, but that was us, as my partner and I–with great expectations, mind you–enthusiastically drove to meet the “Keymaster” at the gate to the empty fairgrounds.
I just returned from vacation in Cape Cod, MA. It was a great time, and the weather was perfect. I enjoyed the usual Cape scenery, seafood, family and beach time, but of course, there was metal detecting too–I couldn’t go to the Cape without my machine now, could I?
Detecting While ExpectingGuest post by Gene Knight, Director of Sales at KellyCo Metal Detectors.
Metal detecting is a fun and exciting outdoor family activity. In this, the age of video games, smart phones, and computers, it is a great activity to get everyone up and off of the couch. Moms, dad, and kids alike can participate in the adventure together as a family. Everyone enjoys the thrill of the find, and there really isn’t a limit to who can take part in this pastime. If your son or daughter is big enough to swing a detector, they are big enough to take part. How young is too young, though? One concern that younger women detectorists have is whether or not they should keep detecting as their family grows. Should a pregnant woman be detecting? Are there added safety issues that they should be concerned about?
Read More “Guest Post by Gene Knight of Kelly Co Metal Detectors” »
I frequently search the web for interesting content and links to websites about metal detecting and history, and I’ve compiled a few of my recent favorites below. Check them out–some of them are pretty cool–
Wow, it’s been about a year since I got my X-Pointer pinpointer by Deteknix, so its time for an update on its performance.
So here’s the update…
I haven’t had any issues with it at all, and the only maintenance I’ve had to perform is changing the battery. It’s still the best darn pinpointer I have ever used.
How many times have you wished you had some type of holster to carry around your T-handle shovel? Don’t most of us walk around carrying it in our hand, or slung over our shoulder as we detect? It can be cumbersome, especially in the woods, or when walking or hiking long distances.
Read More “The “Ready Shovel” – Very Simple, yet Very Cool.” »
“I hope this publication can develop a shared language with metal detectorist’s and move us toward and ever increasing collaboration”.~Giovanna Peebles
The March 2015 issue of the SAA Archaeological Record—the magazine of the Society of American Archaeology is now out.
This month’s issue is a special thematic issue, all about archaeological practice on reality television (i.e. metal detecting reality shows). As the popularity of these reality shows has increased, archaeologists have been working with TV executives and producers, trying to find ways to communicate and form relationships with responsible detectorist’s and the public.
Read More “Archaeology, Reality Television and Metal Detecting” »
It’s been a while since I’ve been doing regular posts on my blog. The reason is simply hibernation. Since Christmas I have been out detecting exactly 4 days–the three days following Christmas, while the ground was still unfrozen and the weather was mild, and then one brave outing to the beach in January.
On the beach outing, I actually called it an early day, (hard to believe, I know), but it was too darn cold for me. I just wanted to go home, sit on the couch where its warm, and watch Vampire Diaries until Spring arrived.
My boyfriend is new to the hobby of metal detecting, and when he expressed an interest in trying it, I was a bit skeptical because his hobby is auto racing, and race cars. I wondered if an E-trac would be able to hold his interest, or compete with the excitement of racing.
Despite my skepticism, his enthusiasm seemed genuine, and I was more than willing to spend a day detecting with him, with the hopes he might get some enjoyment from it, and perhaps we could add it to the list of activities that we do together.
With the exception of my dog going into a confused panic, after getting sprayed in the face by a skunk last night, I had an awesome week!
It was one of those kinds of weeks where everything is just going right in your life. New friends, new job, new opportunities–life is good.
When it comes to finding those elusive and coveted cellar holes, apparently there is some formula to it that folks like myself, just aren’t privy to. Oh, and you can forget about asking Todd Hiltz & Dave Wise, their lips are pretty much closed on the subject. But, even if they told me, I wouldn’t go running my mouth off about it anyway.
I don’t blame them for keeping their methods to themselves. They spend countless hours researching to find old home sites and colonial settlements, and they deserve to reap the rewards that come from it.
